EP4137328B1 - 3d popup card with material figure - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a 3D pop-up card with a fabric figure.

3D pop-up cards, which will be referred to simply as 3D cards below, have been known in a wide variety of designs for a long time and essentially comprise a card that is usually simply folded up as a base, referred to as a card below, and a figure arranged in this card. The main function of such a 3D card is that a figure that is initially essentially two-dimensionally compressed rises three-dimensionally from the card plane when the folded card is opened.

Preferably, corresponding 3D cards can be opened from a closed state by unfolding the two foldable card parts by a total of 180° into a flat plane.

The underlying mechanism is based on the fact that the compressed figure is fixed in the card in such a way that opening the folded card applies a tensile stress to the figure, which transforms the figure from the compressed into the three-dimensional or expanded shape.

Despite increasing digitalization, 3D maps are still very popular. The demand for new shapes and designs is unbroken.

At the same time, given that digital greeting cards are often available free of charge, providers of corresponding 3D cards are under enormous cost and innovation pressure.

A new idea is to make the three-dimensional figure out of fabric. The construction of such a 3D card with a fabric figure requires, on the one hand, the formation of this fabric figure, which can be converted from a compressed two-dimensional to a three-dimensional state, and, on the other hand, a way of attaching this figure inside the card. The fabric figure will not automatically assume a stable three-dimensional shape when the card is unfolded, as is the case with the three-dimensional figures made of paper or similarly stiff materials known from other 3D cards, but will at least partially collapse in on itself.

So far, no satisfactory, namely stable, cost-effective and space-saving construction is known for attaching an expandable fabric figure to a 3D map.

document EP 3 042 783 A1 reveals a 3D pop-up card with a fabric figure, a foldable base and a foldable card.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved construction that enables the attachment of fabric figures in a 3D map.

This object is achieved by an invention having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The 3D pop-up card according to the invention comprises a fabric figure which can be reversibly converted from a flat compressed state into a three-dimensional expanded state, and a foldable base which can be reversibly converted from a flat compressed state into a three-dimensional expanded state, and a foldable card with a Inside and an outside which can be reversibly converted from a folded closed state into an unfolded open state, wherein the foldable base is fixed to the inside of the foldable card and wherein the foldable figure is fixed to the foldable base and the card comprises an additional support element which is arranged inside the base and supports the base from the inside when the card is in the unfolded state.

The fabric figure can be made of any material. The term fabric is to be understood broadly here and includes any woven, knitted, or other textiles. Of course, the fabric figure can also have non-textile decorations, for example made of metal, plastic or glass. The possibilities for corresponding decorations cannot be listed exhaustively at this point and ultimately are not relevant to the invention.

An essential idea of the invention lies in the attachment of a base with an additional support element, wherein the support element is provided within the base preferably on the center line of the foldable card and wherein the foldable fabric figure can be attached to the base.

The problem with using a fabric figure as a 3D figure in a folding card is that the folded fabric figure unfolds completely and evenly when the card is opened, since a fabric figure does not have sufficient rigidity to independently maintain its three-dimensional shape when unfolded due to its generally rather soft and unstable textile material.

The base with support element solves this problem. The expansion of the fabric figure is triggered directly by the expansion of the base.

The 3D card according to the invention therefore comprises three foldable elements, namely the actual three-dimensional fabric figure, the base with support element and the foldable card.

The foldable elements can be reversibly converted or transformed from a folded or compressed state into an unfolded or expanded state. The transformation is triggered by opening or closing the foldable card.

The card (or the 3D card or 3D pop-up card) should be considered open when the unfolded card forms a flat surface, i.e. the two parts or halves of the card have been unfolded by a total angle of 180° and lie next to each other in one plane. The card should be considered closed when the two parts or halves of the card lie on top of each other and their inner sides lie on top of each other.

The 3D card has an outside and an inside, with the base attached to the inside and the base and the fabric figure located between the insides of the folded card when the card is closed.

Preferably, the card is provided with at least two layers, with an outer layer and an inner layer. Such a double-layered design of the card is advantageous in order to be able to arrange the electronics, which will be described in more detail below, in a sandwich-like manner between the two layers and thus conceal them.

Preferably, such a double-layered card is obtained by folding together a card originally made up of four adjacent sections. Such an original card therefore comprises four sections, namely two outer and two inner sections. This original card is preferably provided in one piece with an outer side and an inner side, but variants are also conceivable in which the original card is made up of several parts. For example, individual, several or all sections can only be connected to one another secondarily, for example by adhesive connections.

Preferably, the two outer sections and the two inner sections correspond in their outlines, with the outer section being folded over onto the adjacent inner section.

Accordingly, you get a double-layered card whose visible surfaces correspond to the outside of the original card, whereas the inside of the original card lies between the folded sections.

Accordingly, it is sufficient to print the original card only on the outside in order to obtain a double-layered card after folding the sections, which is printed on all visible surfaces.

The sections of the card may include cutouts and slots to define and place additional elements, such as the base, the support element or other light and sound effects in or on the card.

The base preferably has essentially the same basic shape as the fabric figure. If the fabric figure is conical, the base is also conical. If the fabric figure is cylindrical, the base is also cylindrical, etc.

The base can preferably be fixed in the slots provided in the card using fastening elements, such as tabs. Alternatively, the base can also be attached directly to the inside of the card, for example by gluing the fastening elements to the inside of the card.

The fabric figure can be attached to the base preferably by known adhesives. When the card is closed, both the three-dimensional fabric figure and the base are converted into an essentially flat, two-dimensional shape.

In order to be able to reduce the material of the base as much as possible and still create sufficient stability, it is sufficient in the construction according to the invention with a base and additional support element to make the base from a rather thin but sufficiently rigid material and the support element alone from a comparatively more stable material. For example, the base can be made from a flexible film or paper, but the support element should be made from a stronger plastic, such as PET, or cardboard, and should not bend so easily.

The support element is essentially flat and can be provided in one piece. Its outline preferably corresponds to the axial longitudinal section through the erected base. For a base in the shape of a pointed cone, the shape of the support element would therefore be an isosceles triangle, for a blunt cone a trapezoid, for a cube a square, etc.

Preferably, the support element itself is provided in at least two parts and, in addition to the actual support element described above, also comprises a reinforcing element. The reinforcing element is connected to the support element.

In such a two-part construction, the material of the actual support element can also be rather thin and made of paper, for example, since the required strength of the overall construction consisting of the support element and the reinforcing element is primarily provided by the reinforcing element. The shape of the reinforcing element follows the shape of the support element.

Preferably, the support element comprises fastening elements on the lower side that is to be connected to the card, which enable a more stable connection between the support element and the card. The support element is preferably fixed to the card alone.

Various recesses can be provided for fixing or carrying out additional elements on the support element, for example lighting elements or corresponding cabling.

In particular, on the reinforcement element but also or alternatively on the support element itself, extensions can be provided which protrude beyond the actual outline of the support element as described above and in particular can only protrude from the base and accordingly from the fabric figure when the card is opened. The extension or elements attached to it therefore protrude from the fabric figure when the card is opened.

For example, the fabric figure can represent a cake from which a candle attached to the extension only protrudes when the card is opened. The candle is accordingly attached to an extension of the reinforcement element and/or the support element. Many other combinations of fabric figures and other gimmicks on the corresponding extensions are conceivable.

Preferably, in addition to the fabric figure, the card also includes other light effects and acoustic effects that are triggered by opening the card.

For this purpose, the card comprises conventional electronic elements such as a power supply, a switch, an integrated circuit for controlling the electronic elements and a number of light elements and acoustic elements. Preferably, the electronic elements, with the exception of the light and acoustic elements, are arranged on a circuit board.

The preferred light elements are LEDs, whereby the colors and number of LEDs can be any. The preferred acoustic elements are loudspeakers. The light and acoustic elements are designed to emit certain optical and acoustic stimuli. A preferred power source is batteries.

The switch is used to activate the electronics when opening the 3D card in order to ensure the opening and/or the open state of the 3D card with the unfolded

Figure to be supplemented by optical and acoustic stimuli. Accordingly, all types of switches as well as light or motion sensors are suitable, which enable the electronics to be activated by opening the card. The specialist is familiar with corresponding switches and sensors.

The 3D pop-up card according to the invention has the advantage that the fabric figure is significantly more dimensionally stable when set up thanks to the base and the reinforcement. The inventive design of the base with additional reinforcement also enables an extremely material-saving and yet stable design.

The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the figures show a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. In particular, the invention includes, as far as it is technically reasonable, any combination of the technical features listed in the claims or described in the description as relevant to the invention.

Fig. 1

eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform der 3D Karte mit Stofffigur;

Fig. 2

die bevorzugte Ausführungsform der 3D Karte mit einem Längsschnitt durch die Stofffigur, den Sockel und das Stützelement;

Fig. 3

die einzelnen Elemente der bevorzugten Ausführungsform der 3D Karte;

Fig. 4

eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform der Karte;

Fig. 5

eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform des Sockels;

Fig. 6

eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform des Stützelements und des Verstärkungselements;

Fig. 7

eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform des Stützelements mit Verstärkungselement und Lichtelement;

Fig. 8

eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform des elektronischen Schaltkreises.

They show:

Fig.1

a preferred embodiment of the 3D card with fabric figure;

Fig.2

the preferred embodiment of the 3D card with a longitudinal section through the fabric figure, the base and the support element;

Fig.3

the individual elements of the preferred embodiment of the 3D map;

Fig.4

a preferred embodiment of the card;

Fig.5

a preferred embodiment of the base;

Fig.6

a preferred embodiment of the support element and the reinforcing element;

Fig.7

a preferred embodiment of the support element with reinforcing element and light element;

Fig.8

a preferred embodiment of the electronic circuit.

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the 3D card 1 with fabric figure 3. The fabric figure 3 is arranged together with a light element 4 on the inner surface, which is formed by the two halves 2A, 2B of the foldable card 2. In the unfolded state shown, the two halves 2A, 2B of the foldable card 2 form a flat plane from which the fabric figure 3 protrudes with a light element 4. A few first recesses 8 are provided on the inner surface, which enable further light effects by means of light elements (LEDs) that can be attached there.

Figure 2 shows the preferred embodiment of the 3D map 1 according to Figure 1 , showing a longitudinal section through the fabric figure 3. In the longitudinal section, the inner construction within the fabric figure 3 can be seen. This inner construction comprises a conical base 5 and an additional support element 6.

The conical base 5 comprises second fastening means 5C, with which the base 5 can be fixed to the inside of the card 2 and preferably to slots 7 provided for this purpose.

The additional support element 6 is provided inside the conical base 5. The shape of the support element 6 essentially corresponds to the sectional area of a longitudinal section through the blunt conical base 5, in this case it is trapezoidal.

The additional support element 6 is provided along the center line M of the card 2.

Figure 3 shows individual elements that make up the 3D map 1 ( Figure 1 ), namely the card 2 with the two halves 2A, 2B and the support element 6 arranged between the two halves 2A, 2B with the light element 4 as well as the base 5 with the two second fastening means 5C and the fabric figure 3.

The combination of support element 6, reinforcement 10 ( Figure 6 ) and light element 4 form the reinforced illuminated support element 6".

The support element 6 or the reinforced illuminated support element 6" is provided in the middle of the inside of the card 2 between the two halves 2A, 2B. When the card 2 is unfolded, it protrudes vertically from it; when the card 2 is folded up (not shown), it lies flat between the two halves 2A, 2B of the card 2.

The base 5 in its expanded form preferably follows the shape of the expanded fabric figure 3 in order to fulfil the best possible support function, i.e. to keep the fabric figure 3 in its intended expanded form.

To mount the 3D card, the base 5 is pushed over the support element 6 with the light element 4 and secured with the second fastening means 5C on the inside of the card 2 to the slots 7 provided for this purpose.

The fabric figure 3 is then pushed over the base 5 and fixed to it, for example by gluing it.

Figure 4 shows a preferred and inexpensively producible embodiment of the foldable card 2. How Figure 4A shows, card 2 is made in one piece and in its unassembled form comprises four sections I to IV arranged next to each other, whereby sections I and IV as well as II and III are each of the same size. Sections I and IV are slightly narrower than sections II and III. In addition, sections I and IV each include a second recess 9 on their outer edge.

How Figure 4B shows, the card 2 is assembled by folding section I onto section II and section IV onto section III. Accordingly, the outer edges with the second recesses 9 of sections I and IV lie opposite each other on the card center line M with a small gap. During further assembly, the support element 6 or ultimately the reinforced support element with the light element 6" is fixed into this gap or the second recesses 9.

Figure 5 shows the details of the base 5 with the base body 5A, the first fastening element 5B and the second fastening elements 5C in the unassembled and assembled state. The base 5 is here - according to the fabric figure - conical in shape with an open upper end for the passage of the light element 4 ( Figure 3 ).

Figure 6 shows the details of the support element 6 with the fastening elements 6A and the recess 6B as well as the reinforcing element 10 with the reinforcing body 10A and the extension 10B in the unassembled and assembled state. The support element 6 is present - according to the shape of the base 5 ( Figure 5 ) - trapezoidal design

The fastening elements 6A are used to fix the support element 6 to the card 2 ( Figure 2 ). The recesses 6B are intended for the optional passage of connections of a light element (not shown).

The support element 6 preferably comprises two congruent elements that can be folded onto one another, wherein the optional reinforcing element 10 can be arranged between the two elements. The outline of the body 10A of the reinforcing element 10 essentially corresponds to the outline of the support element 6.

The reinforcing element 10 can - as shown - comprise an extension 10B which can be used for attaching, for example, a light element 4 ( Figure 1 ) is provided. The connection between the support element 6 and the reinforcing element 10 is a reinforced support element 6'.

Figure 7 shows the details of the light element 4 and the final construction of the reinforced illuminated support element 6" comprising the light element 4 and the reinforced support element 6'. The light element 4 can, as shown in the example of a candle, be constructed from the light element body 4A, an effect element 4B - which in this case imitates a flame through its shape, a shielding element 4C and a light source (LED) 4D. The shielding element 4C is provided so that the light of the LED 4D can be perceived solely through the effect element 4B.

The lighting element 4 is preferably fixed to the extension 10B of the reinforcing element 10.

Figure 8 shows a preferred circuit diagram 11 for the electronics of the 3D card 1 according to the invention ( Figure 1 ) with a power supply 16, a switch 12, an integrated circuit or a microprocessor 13 and a number of light elements 14 and acoustic elements 15. Preferably, all of the above-mentioned elements, with the exception of the light and optionally the acoustic elements 14, 15, are arranged on a printed circuit board.

Preferred light elements 14 are LEDs, whereby the colors and number of LEDs can be any desired. Preferred acoustic elements 15 are loudspeakers. The light and acoustic elements 14, 15 are intended to emit certain optical and acoustic stimuli. A preferred power supply 16 is batteries or rechargeable batteries.

The switch 12 is used to activate the electronics when the 3D card is opened in order to complement the opening and the opened state of the 3D card with the unfolded figure with optical and acoustic stimuli. Accordingly, all types of switches are suitable that enable the electronics to be activated by opening the card. The person skilled in the art will be familiar with such switches.

List of reference symbols

1

3D Pop-Up Card

2

foldable map (2A: first half; 2B: second half)

3

Fabric figure (three-dimensional)

4

Light element (4A: light element body; 4B: effect element; 4C: shielding element; 4D: light source, LED)

5

Base (5A: base body; 5B: first fastening element; 5C: second fastening element)

6

Support element (6A: fastening element; 6B: recess; 6': reinforced support element; 6": reinforced illuminated support element)

7

Insert

8

first recess

9

second recess

10

Reinforcing element (10A: body; 10B: extension)

11

Circuit

12

Switch

13

Microprocessor (IC)

14

Light source (LED)

15

Acoustic element (speaker)

16

Power supply

M

Centerline

I - IV

Sections of the map

Claims (9)

1. A 3D pop-up card comprising a fabric figure (3), which is reversibly convertible from a flat compressed state to a three-dimensional expanded state, and a foldable base (5), which is reversibly convertible from a flat compressed state to a three-dimensional expanded state, and a foldable card (2) with an inner side and an outer side, which is reversibly convertible from a folded closed state to an unfolded opened state, wherein the foldable base (5) is fixed to the inner side of the foldable card (2) and wherein the fabric figure (3) is fixed to the foldable base (5), characterized in that the card (2) comprises an additional support element (6), which is arranged inside the base (5) and supports the base (5) from the inside in the unfolded state of the card (2).
2. 3D pop-up card according to claim 1, characterised in that the additional support element (6) is fixed to the card (2) alone.
3. 3D pop-up card according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the additional support element (6) comprises a material which is more dimensionally stable than the material of which the base (5) consists of.
4. 3D pop-up card according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (5) is conical in the expanded state and has a round ground plan.
5. 3D pop-up card according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the card (2) further comprises light and acoustic elements (14, 15), a switch (12) for activating the light and acoustic elements (14, 15), a circuit or a microprocessor (13) for controlling the electrical components and a power supply (16).
6. 3D pop-up card according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the card (2) is divided into two halves (2A, 2B) which are provided foldable on top of each other and wherein the halves (2A, 2B) are provided in double layers with an inner and an outer layer.
7. 3D pop-up card according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (6) comprises an extension, whereby the extension protrudes from the fabric figure when the card is opened.
8. 3D pop-up card according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (6) comprises a reinforcing element (10).
9. 3D pop-up card according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcing element (10) comprises a body (10A) and an extension (10B), whereby the extension protrudes from the fabric figure (3) when the card (2) is opened.

Images